OAKLAND — A Berkeley man continued to claim innocence Friday as he was sentenced to 40 years to life in state prison for killing his childhood friend during a dice game in 2015.

Anthony Durant (Alameda County Sheriff's Office)

A couple members of Christian Sheppard’s family walked out of Judge C. Don Clay’s courtroom as Anthony Durant, 26, claimed he was wrongly convicted. He claimed Sheppard was killed by an unknown masked robber, though he could not explain why he didn’t help Sheppard or tell anyone about the robber before his arrest.

Sheppard, 24, of Stockton, was the father of two girls and graduated from Berkeley High with Durant. He was killed outside of the Rosewood apartment complex near the corner of Russell and California streets shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2015.

“I did not murder Christian,” Durant said. “I want to clear my name and I want to get that off my chest.”

Prosecutor Jimmie Wilson said the two friends had some ongoing animosity over monetary issues, but the motive for the killing was unclear. Two other men left Durant and Sheppard alone at the dice game shortly before a neighbor who knew Durant heard him arguing with someone, followed by a gunshot.

At sentencing Friday, Judge Clay described the shooting as “a matter of stupidity and never should have happened.”

The ruling by Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregory Jones marks the latest surprise turn in a high-profile criminal case against Dr. Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley that has drawn international attention.